The freezing winter wind whipped through the snowy courtyard outside the glowing blue castle, but the ice on the ground was nothing compared to the cold hatred in Lady Genevieve's eyes.
Lady Genevieve: You cheap thief!
A sharp, stinging crack echoed against the stone walls as Lady Genevieve's hand slammed across Clara's face, sending the young girl spiraling onto the frozen ground.
Clara: I didn't steal it! Please, listen to me!
Lady Genevieve: Shut your mouth!
Lady Genevieve raised the heavy leather whip in her gloved hand, bringing it down viciously across Clara's back.
Clara gasped, pressing her cheek into the freezing snow as blood welled up on her lips. She curled her body tightly around her chest, her fingers clutching a small silver band hidden beneath her torn dress.
Lady Genevieve: I'll burn you... and that ring!
Clara: You can break my bones, but you won't take it from me!
Lady Genevieve: We'll see how stubborn you are after another dozen lashes!
Clara: It was my mother's! It belongs to the real head of this estate!
Lady Genevieve: Your mother was a servant who died with nothing! I own this mansion, I own the family trust, and I own you!
Clara bit her lip until it bled, holding her breath as the whip cracked down again. Horses stamped their hooves in the background, their warm breath rising like steam in the bitter air, while the estate guards stood by in silence.
Lady Genevieve: Give me the ring, Clara. Give it to me, or you won't survive the night in this courtyard.
Clara: I'm not going to lose the ring...
Lady Genevieve: What did you say to me?
Clara: I said no. My father left it to me in his will, and the lawyers are already on their way.
Lady Genevieve froze, the whip hovering in the freezing air as her dark blue gown rustled against the snow.
Lady Genevieve: Lawyers? What are you talking about?
Clara: You thought you hid the court papers in the safe, didn't you?
Lady Genevieve: How do you know about the safe?
Clara: Because the key isn't in your room... it's right here in my hand.